Grants FAQ

Am I eligible for a NAC Grant?

Please refer to individual grant guidelines for specific eligibility for each grant.

INDIVIDUALS

Must be at least 21 years old.

Must be a current Nevada resident and have been in residence for at least one year prior to the date of the grant application. Applicants must submit valid NV Driver’s License or NV State ID Card as evidence of this.

If you do not have a driver’s license/state ID or if your driver’s license was renewed within the past 12 months, contact NAC staff to discuss other residency verification material.

Must be a U.S. citizen or have legal resident status.

Must not be enrolled as a degree-seeking student.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (including non-profit private schools)

Must be incorporated and registered as a Nevada nonprofit organization.

Must have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply for some grants with a Fiscal Agent, see page 3 for more information.

Must have a DUNS number (can be obtained for free at dnb.com). The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-character identification number. DUNS numbers are required of all Federal grant recipients and provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet.

Nonprofit organizations located in states that border Nevada may apply for a NAC grant if they are incorporated in Nevada with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. However, the application must clearly demonstrate that the majority of the proposed project (at least 75%) serves Nevada communities, and all awarded NAC grant funds must be used to support Nevada communities.

*USE OF A FISCAL AGENT: Incorporated nonprofit organizations that are registered to do business in the state of Nevada but are not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may use a Fiscal Agent to apply for the following grants: Arts Learning Project Grant, Folklife Community Grant, Project Grant for Organizations.

As the Fiscal Agent is the legal recipient of the grant award on behalf of the applicant organization, they must be an incorporated nonprofit 501(c)(3) and meet all other eligibility requirements for NAC grants.

The Fiscal Agent should have a true pass-through relationship with the applicant: the Fiscal Agent has no discretion in determining how the grant funds will be used and does not retain any control (variance power) over the funds received. The income and expenses of the project should be kept separate from the Fiscal Agent’s operations, except for the earned fee for its services (if applicable).

The Fiscal Agent has a legal responsibility to see that the funds are spent on the proposed project and is responsible for all the requirements of the specific grant category including fiscal records and final reports.

A formal agreement between the Fiscal Agent and the applicant must be submitted with the grant application.

Acting as a Fiscal Agent does not limit the Fiscal Agent’s own NAC grant applications.

If using a Fiscal Agent, applicants must contact the NAC prior to submitting a grant application.

NEW THIS YEAR: Agencies that exist within the same governmental entity are eligible to apply independently when they have different/distinct mission statements and their own separate advisory boards. Multiple departments/facilities within one agency may not apply independently; each agency must collectively determine the programs or projects for which to request funding.

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

Colleges/universities are limited to no more than one grant to the same academic department per fiscal year.

Projects must serve a broad community outside the institution and generate area-wide arts involvement. Grants may not support the institution’s internal programs.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Individual schools and libraries within the same district/system may apply independently as long as they have their own budget and facility.

How do I apply for a grant?

All applications and Final Reports must be submitted using the new online system. Please read the grant guidelines fully. When you are ready to apply for a grant, see the resources below to help guide you through the basics of using the new system.

If an individual receives any of the grants below, they may not receive any other NAC grants during that Fiscal Year:

Artist Fellowship Grant

Folk Arts Fellowship Grant

Fellowship Project Grant

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

If eligible, organizations may receive the following grants in the same fiscal year:

Arts Learning Express Grant OR Arts Learning Project Grant*

AND one (1) of the grants below:

Folklife Community Grant

Project Grant for Organizations

Operating Support Grant*
*Nonprofit Organizations can receive an Operating Support Grant and an Arts Learning Project Grant in the same fiscal year, but Project Grant for Organization and Folklife Community Grant recipients cannot receive any other competitive grants in the same fiscal year.

UNITS OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

Units of government and public institutions may receive one (1) of the following:

Arts Learning Project Grant

Project Grant for Organizations

Arts Learning Express Grant

Project Grant for Organizations AND Arts Learning Express Grant

What are the upcoming grant deadlines (for Fiscal Year 2021)?

PROJECT GRANT FOR ORGANIZATIONS

APPLICATIONS OPEN: January 1, 2020

DEADLINE: March 20, 2019

ARTS LEARNING PROJECT GRANT

APPLICATIONS OPEN: January 1, 2020

DEADLINE: April 3, 2020

FOLK ARTS FELLOWSHIP GRANT

APPLICATIONS OPEN: January 1, 2020

DEADLINE: April 15, 2020

ARTIST FELLOWSHIP GRANT

APPLICATIONS OPEN: February 3, 2020

DEADLINE: April 15, 2020

PROJECT GRANT FOR ARTISTS (Cycle A)

APPLICATIONS OPEN: March 2, 2020

DEADLINE: May 1, 2020

PROJECT GRANT FOR ARTISTS (Cycle B)

APPLICATIONS OPEN: September 1, 2020

DEADLINE: November 2, 2020

NON-COMPETITIVE GRANTS

APPLICATIONS OPEN: May 1, 2020

DEADLINE: At least 30 days before project/activity

FOLKLIFE COMMUNITY GRANT

FOLKLIFE ARTIST GRANT

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT (Cycle A)

ARTS LEARNING EXPRESS GRANT (Cycle A)

Non-competitive grant applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness throughout the year by NAC staff. Eligible applications are awarded in the order in which they are received while funds remain available. Grants are contingent on available funding as approved by the NAC Board.

Competitive grant applications are reviewed and evaluated in an impartial environment by panels of in-state and out-of-state arts specialists, artists, and educators. The panelists score grant applications and make funding recommendations to the NAC Board. Panelists are selected by Nevada Arts Council staff based on their artistic discipline and level of expertise and experience in the arts and culture. All panelists go through a training process and review all applications and support material prior to the panel meeting. During panel meetings, only the panelists participate in the discussion and scoring of applications. Panelists are required to disclose all known conflicts of interest with any grant applicant and abstain from the discussion and scoring of the specified applicant(s). A conflict of interest shall be deemed to exist if a panelist or any member of a panelist’s immediate family:

Has direct involvement in the operation, management, or serves on a board of directors or trustees of an applicant

Has a direct ownership interest or investment interest in an applicant

Is employed by or volunteers for an applicant

Receives or has the right to receive, directly or indirectly, remuneration pursuant to any arrangement for compensation with an applicant

After panel meetings are completed, the NAC Board convenes in a public meeting to discuss the grant panel review and to vote on final grant allocations. Per NAC Board decision on September 20, 2019, grant applications with an average score of less than 70 will not be funded.

Grantees receive an official grant award letter and packet which includes legal and reporting requirements and deadlines. Applicants not recommended for funding are notified after NAC Board meeting.

Final Reports are required from all grantees. Grantees failing to submit a Final Report by the stated deadline will be ineligible to apply for following year grants until the document is received and approved.

What is a DUNS number?

The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine character identification number. DUNS numbers are required of all Federal grant recipients and provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet. All organization grant applicants must have a DUNS number which can be obtained for free at www.dnb.com.

Can I find out what panelists said about my grant application?

Grant applicants will be notified via email of the date and time of the open public meeting during which a panel will be reviewing their application. The NAC encourages applicants to observe panel meetings in person or to listen via internet or teleconference options. Panel discussions provide insights to effective grant writing and program evaluation. Applicants are requested to refrain from contacting panel members before or during the panel meeting process. Applicants are not required to attend grant panels, nor will absence at these meetings prejudice application review.

After the panel, grantees may request a copy of their panel comments by emailing grants@nevadaculture.org.

What can NAC grant funds be used for?

This differs for each grant, so please read each grant guidelines fully before applying. In addition to the list below, other costs may or may not be allowable. If in doubt about a particular cost, please contact NAC staff. The following costs are non-allowable:

Any portion of a project that duplicates costs in grants pending with, or received directly from, the National Endowment for the Arts

Any portion of the same project in multiple grant applications

Any portion of completed projects

Capital expenditures for land or general-purpose equipment with a cost over $2,500

Cash prizes

Competition awards

Fees for filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service

Fines, penalties, or debt collection costs

Travel outside Canada, Mexico, the United States, and its territories and possessions

Fundraising efforts or the money spent in order to raise additional funds (such as social events and benefits)

Projects with implicit religious content that may be perceived as advancing a religious purpose

Publication subvention

Reduction of debt including interest expenses paid on loans, debts, or borrowed capital

Renovation, remodeling, restoration, or new construction

Reserve funds

Salaries and overhead of government agencies, public institutions, and public and private schools, colleges, and universities

Student scholarships for academic credit or awards for student work

How do I submit my final report?

A link to your Final Report form will be emailed to you as soon as the NAC receives your initital grant paperwork (Terms and Conditions form, Cash Request Form, etc). Please see the resources below to help you fill out and submit your Final Report online:

FINAL REPORT RESOURCES

Authorizing Official – An individual in your organization who is legally authorized to obligate the organization to contract. For most organizations this would be the president or treasurer of the board of directors. The Authorizing Official may be different from the Contact Person.

Capital Expenditures – The costs of permanent equipment, construction and repairs that increase the value or useful life of buildings or equipment. Includes endowments and reserve accounts.

Contracted Services – Includes the sale of workshops, classes or other professional services performed by the applicant organization for other community organizations; government contracts for performance, touring or residency fees.

Indirect Costs – Indirect costs are defined as the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a particular grant or project. They may include administration, personnel, or other allowable expenses.

In-Kind Contributions – In-kind (non-cash) contributions demonstrate both community support and the true cost of producing a program or project or operating a nonprofit arts/cultural organization. In-kind contributions are provided by volunteers or outside parties. Donated goods and services must be necessary to the organization; that is, they are goods or services with cash value which the organization would have to purchase if not donated. An example of an in-kind contribution is a venue provided free of charge, but which would normally be rented for cash.
Independent Sector, a national organization, provides current volunteer time/value per state. Check http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time?s=volunteer%20value for current rates.

Operating Costs – Costs to the applicant organization related to the day-to-day operations of the organization and not related to one specific project or program; including administrative salaries and benefits, payroll expenses, insurance, facility space rental, utilities, contracted and professional services, storage, postage, subscriptions, shipping and hauling expenses.

Outside Fees & Services:
Artistic – Payments to firms or persons for the artistic services or consultant services of individuals who are not considered employees of applicant organizations and whose services are specifically identified in the application. Examples: guest professionals such as artistic directors, jurors, conductors, curators, dance masters, composers, choreographers, visual and performing artists, etc.
Technical – Payments to firms or persons for the technical and production services by other persons who are not considered employees of the applicant organization. Examples are
lighting crews, stage managers, costume crews, art packers, installers, preparators and other contractors.

Personnel:
Administrative – Payments for employee salaries and benefits of executive and supervisory administrative staff, program directors, managing directors and support staff.
Artistic – Payments for employee salaries and benefits for artistic directors, conductors, curators, composers, choreographers, designers, visual, performing and literary artists.
Technical – Payments for employee salaries, wages, and benefits, as well as production specifically identified within the application for technical management such as: technical directors; wardrobe, lighting, sound, and stage crews; video and film technicians; and exhibit preparators.

Public Component – An activity of a project that is advertised and open to the general public, typically without charge.